Zuma to visit Zimbabwe for poll talks amid widening rift

http://www.nation.co.ke

By KITSEPILE NYATHI NATION Correspondent
Posted  Wednesday, March 7  2012 at  18:30

HARARE, Wednesday

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma is expected in Zimbabwe in the next few
days to discuss preparations for fresh elections amid a widening rift
between Pretoria and Harare.

Hardliners in President Robert Mugabe’s government have accused South Africa
of meddling in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs after the influential neighbour
insisted on reforms before the polls early this week.

A South African government official said President Zuma, who was appointed
by the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) to mediate in Zimbabwe,
is pressing ahead with an ‘election roadmap’ that will see the Harare
administration adopt a cocktail of reforms.

President Zuma’s international adviser, Lindiwe Zulu, told the Voice of
America that there were no firm dates for the visit but confirmed that it
was in the next few days.

The South African leader recently visited Botswana, Angola and Namibia,
where he reportedly appealed for regional support to tackle the Zimbabwe
issue.

Angolan Foreign minister Georges Chikoti was quoted saying President Zuma
had consulted President Jose Eduardo dos Santos on Madagascar, Zimbabwe, the
DR Congo and Malawi during the visit to Luanda last Friday.

President Dos Santos chairs Sadc, which has been battling to find a peaceful
solution to the Zimbabwe crisis since 2007.

Mugabe allies slam SA stance

http://www.timeslive.co.za/

TAWANDA KAROMBOin Harare | 07 March, 2012 00:22

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's allies within the Zanu-PF party have
rubbished Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane's assertion that crucial
reforms must be put in place before elections are held in that country.

"We will not be forced and allow South Africans to dictate to us what we
should do," Minister in the Presidency Didymus Mutasa said in comments
published yesterday. We have the sovereign right to [make] our own
decisions. We are a sovereign country that has its laws and President Mugabe
will be acting within his mandate."

There are fears that disagreements between the South African government and
Zanu-PF on the timing of the polls could plunge the countries into a
diplomatic stand-off.

The Southern African Development Community has appointed President Jacob
Zuma to find a solution to the long-standing impasse between Mugabe and
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, coalition government partners under a
shaky power-sharing agreement concluded in 2008, so that free and fair
elections can be held.

Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change and Zanu-PF are at odds over
when the poll can take place. The MDC wants a new constitution to be
finalised and electoral and media reforms to be put in place first, while
Mugabe insists elections should be held with or without them.

In an interview with state media to mark his 88th birthday last month,
Mugabe said he would exercise his powers and call unilaterally for elections
this year if the other parties to the coalition government resisted.

On Monday, Nkoana-Mashabane said, in response to a parliamentary question,
that an election in Zimbabwe ''will only be held following the finalisation
of the constitution-making process'' in line with the global political
agreement underpinning the coalition.

Her comments have drawn the ire of Mugabe's allies.

Jonathan Moyo, a Zanu-PF election strategist, said Nkoana-Mashabane had "no
business whatsoever commenting" on the Zimbabwe issue, adding that Zuma's
task was to facilitate dialogue between the country's political parties.

". We prescribe what we should do in accordance with our laws and our
agreement. Zimbabwe has never been a province of South Africa," he said

Rugare Gumbo, the Zanu-PF spokesman, said a new constitution would be
finalised soon as a means of satisfying Zuma's demands, although he
maintained his party could hold elections without the charter.

Tensions between Mugabe and Zuma over the election have been simmering for
months and Mugabe has publicly criticised his South African counterpart on
more than one occasion.

Sources within Zanu-PF said Mugabe still respected Zuma.

But observers warned of a potential diplomatic stand-off between Zimbabwe
and South Africa.

In a letter to Mugabe last month, Tsvangirai urged the ageing president to
speed up reforms to pave the way for elections, a move that reflected the
MDC leader's frustration with Mugabe.

Sapa-AFP reports that Zimbabwe's constitution-drafting commission says a
referendum on the charter could not be held before August, meaning elections
under the new constitution would not be likely until next year.

MDC-T throws down gauntlet to ZANU PF over elections

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
7 March 2012

TheMDC-T has said it will treat 2012 as a watershed year and vowed to
prepare its structures for election and it has challenged ZANU PF to make
the necessary reforms for a free and fair poll.

The party threw down the gauntlet to ZANU PF on Wednesday following a
meeting of its National Executive inHarare. It follows several accusations
by Robert Mugabe’s party that they were scared of an election.

Mugabe has said he will definitely call elections this year and described as
‘cowards’ politicians who say polls cannot be held until 2013. In an
interview with state media on the eve of his 88th birthday two weeks ago,
the ZANU PF candidate for the next presidential poll dismissed objections to
early polls.

‘That is what cowards say. Elections can happen at any time … Definitely,
yes this year,’ he said.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s party has always insisted polling cannot
go ahead until constitutional reforms are complete while civil society and
rights groups have warned of an imminent surge of election violence.

Douglas Mwonzora, the party spokesman, told SW Radio Africa that the ball is
now in ZANU PF’s court if they want elections this year.

‘We are ready for elections, and yes theoretically they can be held this
year, so we don’t want to be caught flat footed. We have to prepare our
structures and if we can’t have the poll this year then definitely March
next year, we will be going for an election and it is always ideal to have
12 months to prepare,’ Mwonzora added.

SW Radio Africa is reliably informed principals to the GPA are mulling
calling for an election in the last quarter of 2012 because of the
dysfunctional state of the inclusive government.

A new draft constitution has now been completed and the principals are
expected to receive this, together with a report from the Parliamentary
Select Committee spearheading the process.

A source told us once they have the timelines of when a referendum can be
held, the principals will work on an election date.

There are reports South African President Jacob Zuma, who is also the SADC
mediator onZimbabwe, is expected inHararesometime next week for talks on an
election road map and other GPA issues.

‘The only thing that has been delaying Zuma coming toHararehas been the
delay to come up with a draft constitution. I’ll not be off the mark if I
say by the time Zuma flies intoHarare, the principals would have a rough
idea of timelines leading to a referendum and eventual elections.

‘Zuma is coming to look at the roadmap, and if all sides agree to it, he
will take it to SADC and present it to fellow regional leaders,’ our source
said.

TheMDChowever has stressed that before any election can be held pro-Mugabe
security forces must be reformed, state spies weeded out of the electoral
body, media reforms are completed and a new democratic constitution is
written and adopted.

How Zuma can pressure ZANU PF to do any of this, remains to be seen.

State takes over Air Zimbabwe debt

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

06/03/2012 00:00:00
    by Staff Reporter

THE government has moved to takeover Air Zimbabwe’s US$140 million debt but
insists the airline must implement massive job cuts and replace aging
aircraft in order to return to viability.

The air line was forced to suspended international flights after two
aircraft were seized in the United Kingdom and South Africa over unpaid
debts.

But last month officials confirmed operations had been suspended
indefinitely after pilots refused to return to work.
"I can confirm all flights are suspended. We are grounded indefinitely,"
acting chief executive Innocent Mavhunga told AFP

"Pilots did not come to commence operations. We are waiting for the
government which is our major shareholder to intervene. Our issue is in the
domain of cabinet. We are just waiting for their intervention."
However, the government has now confirmed the state will takeover the
airline’s debts to help revive its operations.

“On Air Zimbabwe the main objective of the ministry (State Enterprises and
Parastatals Management) is to restore normalcy and the main issue was debt
assumption,” State Enterprises Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe executive
director Edgar Nyoni recently told a parliamentary committee.

“Cabinet approved debt assumption and the Debt Assumption Bill is being
prepared by the line ministry (Transport and Communication)."

Air Zimbabwe owes foreign creditors about US$30 million and another US$119
million to various local institutions including the Zimbabwe Revenue
Authority (ZIMRA) and state pensions entity, Nssa.

But the government is also demanding massive job cuts at the airline which
is understood to employ more that 1400 workers.

“There should be a staff audit looking at the current equipment operating
and current employment levels,” Nyoni said.

“Currently the company employs 1 400 people so there could be a possibility
of downsizing the workforce.”
He also conceded that Air Zimbabwe’s needed to upgrade is aircraft in order
to be competitive.

“The pricing and marketing strategy is incompatible with the old equipment
which is highly cost intensive in terms of fuel consumption, every flight,
the company is incurring a debt that is why we talk of leasing new
 aircraft,” he said.

Zimbabwe extends Zimplats equity surrender deadline

(AFP) – 1 hour ago

HARARE — Zimbabwe on announced Wednesday it had extended by a week a
deadline for platinum miner Zimplats to hand over nearly 30 percent of its
shares under a contentious indigenisation law.

"We are accepting Tuesday as the final deadline," Indigenisation Minister
Saviour Kasukwere told journalists.

"We expect that there will be a conclusion to this matter. The government
will not hesitate to nationalise those companies that do not comply with the
law."

Kasukwere gave Zimplats, the local unit of South Africa's Impala Platinum,
an ultimatum two weeks ago to sell a 29.5-percent stake to locals by March 7
or risk nationalisation under the indigenisation law.

The law, passed two years ago, compels foreign companies to sell 51 percent
shares to black Zimbabweans.

Kasukwere, who had earlier rejected a delay of a month sought by the
company, warned the government would not compensate owners of nationalised
companies.

"Why should we pay for something that belongs to us?" he said.

David Brown, chief executive of Zimplats' parent company, Implats, is
expected to travel to Harare next week for talks aimed at resolving the
impasse with Zimbabwean authorities.

The government initially gave foreign companies up to September last to hand
in plans on how they intend to sell their majority shares to local
companies.

The deadline was later extended to allow negotiations with companies which
offered to give shares in the form of developments in the local communities.

Mimosa Holdings, a Zimplats joint venture with Aquarius Platinum, last month
took a step toward complying with the law. It put $2 million into a
community trust fund meant to repair roads and provide clean water for
residents near the mine.

But so far Zimplats has not been able to reach a deal for overall
compliance, with parts of its plan rejected last month.

The local shareholding programme is one of the more contentious issues in
the unity government of long-ruling President Robert Mugabe and Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Tsvangirai has said the indigenisation drive will push away foreign
investment, just as the country is recovering from a decade-long economic
collapse.

PTUZ officials arrested in Bulawayo

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Lance Guma
07 March 2012

Two senior officials from a militant teachers union were arrested Wednesday
morning by police in Bulawayo and only released after a four hour
interrogation.

Nokhuthula Mpofu Hlabangana, Vice President of the Progressive Teachers
Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) and Provincial Co-ordinator Vusimusi Mahlangu were
arrested for distributing union t-shirts and newsletters to their members in
several Bulawayo schools.

PTUZ Information & Publicity Secretary Fannuel Mabhugu told SW Radio Africa
that: “The police were keen to know the source of the t-shirts and why these
officials were distributing these materials to teachers. They suspected that
this was being done as part of a grand plan to stage a demonstration against
the government.”

Mabhugu described the arrest as, “malicious and disturbing considering that
other teachers’ organizations are also distributing their paraphernalia to
their members without any hindrance from the same police.” He said the
police were deliberately closing their space to interact with the members of
the union.

Asked why they were being targeted, Mabhugu said it might have something to
do with a story they are exposing in their newsletter. He said the Mugabe
regime was secretly rehiring retired headmasters who were over 65 years of
age. “The idea is to have loyal presiding officers in the next elections,”
he said.

Polling stations for elections in Zimbabwe are usually set up at schools and
teachers and headmasters play a prominent role. The PTUZ says it suspects
that the rehired headmasters might be used to play a prominent role in
rigging elections in ZANU PF’s favour.

Chegutu man gets ten years in jail for reconnecting ZESA

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tererai Karimakwenda
07 March, 2012

The recent case of a Chegutu resident, hit with a ten-year jail sentence for
reconnecting his electricity, has highlighted the desperation of many who
are being disconnected by the power authority for non-payment of bills.

According to the state run Herald newspaper, Chegutu resident Obvious
Muposiwa owed money to ZESA and was first disconnected on February 8th. He
reconnected his electricity as soon as the technician left, but this re-
connection was soon discovered.

A second worker was dispatched to remove the circuit breaker in an effort to
ensure that Muposiwa got no power at all. But the desperate 31 year old
reportedly used wires to connect directly to power supplies.

This time he was arrested and brought to court, where he was convicted of
“destroying or interfering with ZESA equipment” and was hit with a ten year
sentence by Chegutu magistrate Fabian Feshete.

The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA), who have been helping
disconnected residents to negotiate payment plans with ZESA, described the
sentence as “too harsh and too long” while also advising residents to avoid
illegal connections because they are dangerous.

“We sympathize with all residents. We do not support them connecting
themselves but we think a lesser sentence could have sent the message home,”
explained CHRA coordinator Mfundo Mlilo, who added that Muposiwa’s case was
“a sign of desperation”.

Online readers who commented on the harsh sentence given the Chegutu
resident expressed shock and anger, criticizing ZESA for cutting off poor
people why politicians and influential chefs got better treatment. Others
accused ZESA workers of stealing cables without being punished and
soliciting bribes from poor residents.

One reader wrote: “What about comrade Chombo? Has he settled his bill? And
other big chefs who thought being ZANU masks you from any debt due? The jail
sentence is too harsh. This offence deserves a 3-month term not 10
years..that’s unbelievable.”

Another wrote: “ZESA employees using electricity for free yet there are
being paid monthly salaries. ZESA should be sued for forcing communities to
pay towards the repair of vandalized transformers by deliberately taking
ages to repair them…”

Mlilo at CHRA said ZESA has been disconnecting residents despite the fact
that they themselves have not been providing consistent power supplies.
Asked what residents can do if they owe money, he advised that they
negotiate a payment plan before electricity is disconnected, or in order to
be reconnected.

“If the payment plans are not honoured we encourage residents to approach
our offices or our local district coordinators,” Mlilo explained. He said
ZESA has so far been honouring the payment plans and sparing many residents
from disconnection. A few cases in Warren Park and Sunningdale were wrongly
disconnected and CHRA mediated their reconnection.

Bail application for MDC members postponed again

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
7 March 2012

The High Court has once again postponed its ruling on a bail application
lodged by lawyers representing 26 MDC-T members accused of murdering police
inspector Petros Mutedza.

This is the second day in a row that the state has postponed the
application. The hearing has now been pushed to Thursday.

The bail hearing failed to take off Wednesday after state prosecutor Edmore
Nyazamba didn’t to turn up, as he was reportedly attending another bail
hearing for the MDC Youth Assembly chairperson, Solomon Madzore at the
Supreme Court.

The group was taken back into custody last week Thursday after being
indicted for the trial starting next Monday. The MDC-T denies its activists
were involved in the murder of Mutedza saying the cop was fatally assaulted
by ordinary patrons at a Glen View bar who were discussing football.

Senator Obert Gutu, party spokesman for Harare province and deputy Minister
of Justice, said it was the usual delaying tactics by the system to keep the
activists in custody.

‘It is malicious to keep them locked inside. There is a nine out of ten
chance that there will be readmitted for bail, so they want to keep them in
custody just to fix them. This is not like a new case, officers in the
Attorney-General’s office are too familiar with so it shouldn’t take long to
come up with a decision,’ Gutu said.

Back in police cells is national executive member Last Maengahama and his
two brothers, Stanford and Lazarus.

The group also includes Rebecca Mafikeni, Phenias Nhatarikwa, Yvonne
Musarurwa, Stanford Mangwiro and Glen View Ward 32 councellor, Tungamirai
Madzokere. The activists spent 9 months in custody and had only been granted
bail two weeks ago. Analysts point out that Zimbabwe’s laws are being used
to harass anyone perceived as being opposed to Mugabe and ZANU PF.

Information minister has five days to reform media boards

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tererai Karimakwenda
07 March, 2012

The deadline given to Minister of Information Webster Shamu, to reform the
executive boards of three key media institutions, is less than week away yet
there is no sign on the ground that he intends to comply with the order from
the three principals.

It has been over two weeks since Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told
journalists that it had been agreed at a weekly meeting with Robert Mugabe
and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara that the boards of the Mass Media
Trust, the Broadcasting Authority and ZBC should be reconstituted.

Tsvangirai said the task had been assigned to Shamu, along with a March 12th
deadline to implement the agreed media reforms. Shamu, who simply ignored a
previous order to reconstitute the boards, was not made to account for it
and it appears he intends to ignore the orders a second time.

Shortly after Tsvangirai’s announcement, Mugabe’s spokesperson George
Charamba confused matters by denying that any such agreement had been made.
Charamba insisted there was no issue, as the boards in question are legal
and no reforms were necessary.

Ministers face axe

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Thelma Chikwanha, Community Affairs Editor
Wednesday, 07 March 2012 12:05

HARARE - Any minister from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC party
implicated in corrupt activities, including those found guilty of looting
the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), will face the chop.

Tsvangirai’s spokesman, Luke Tamborinyoka, told the Daily News yesterday
that any MDC official caught in a corrupt web whether at local or national
government level would be axed.

Tsvangirai, whose party campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, is ready
to wield the axe on all errant ministers and MPs who failed to account for
the CDF in the same manner he fired corrupt councillors at Chitungwiza Town
Council.

Tsvangirai, whose party has over the past three years since the formation of
the coalition government campaigned against corruption faces a serious
challenge with his senior members who are being accused of vice.

An audit of the CDF released by government for purposes of developing
constituencies revealed that 10 MPs from Zanu PF and the MDC failed to
account for the money.

Among the 10 are senior officials from Tsvangirai’s party such as Public
Service minister Lucia Matibenga and National Healing, Reconciliation and
Integration minister Sekai Holland.

The ministers have used the media to deny misappropriating the funds meant
to address challenges within constituencies. But they still have to prove
their innocence with relevant authorities.

Tamborinyoka said the Prime Minister would not treat those found guilty with
kid gloves.

“The Prime Minister’s position on corruption is well known. As long as the
issue is not politicised, those that are found guilty should face the
 music,” Tamborinyoka said.

He added that the MDC leader would take stern measures against errant senior
members whose actions reflect negatively on the party.

Police have since arrested some MPs in connection with the theft of the $50
000 per constituency fund released by the ministry of Finance.

Corruption in the MDC, a party that has posed the greatest threat to Mugabe
and Zanu PF’s three-decade hold on power could spoil the party’s attempt to
portray itself as a corruption free alternative.

During its early days, before entering national government, the MDC used to
boast of its clean “record in governance” while referring to the work of its
first mayors such as Mutare’s Misheck Kagurabadza, Bulawayo’s Japhet Ndabeni
Ncube and Harare’s Elias Mudzuri.

That record appears to be in tatters at the moment, as reports of corruption
and luxury spending continue to dog top party officials.

Tsvangirai has in the past been forced to suspend councillors in Chitungwiza
and other councils implicated in corruption.

The party has in recent months been forced to open inquiries into the
conduct of its members such in areas such as Mutare and Harare, where
previously poverty stricken councillors are now living the high life.

But Tamborinyoka said his boss would not spare the rod on those found on the
wrong side of the law.

“We are the only party that has a leader who has fired an entire council for
corruption, action should be taken on every corrupt person. Anyone who is
corrupt should be arrested,” Tamborinyoka said.

NGO ban deplorable: EU

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Godfrey Mtimba recently in Belgium
Wednesday, 07 March 2012 15:11

BRUSSELS - One of Zimbabwe’s biggest donors, the European Union (EU) says
the suspension of Non-Governmental Organisations in Masvingo province by the
Zimbabwean government will hinder development.

Masvingo provincial governor Titus Maluleke recently suspended 29 local and
international NGOs in the province accusing them of defying an order to
register with his office, a move that was supported by his boss, President
Robert Mugabe.

Mugabe slammed NGOs for working with his opponents to oust him from power
during his birthday bash in Mutare last month.

Speaking during an African, Caribbean, Pacific-EU follow up committee
meeting in the Belgian capital Brussels, Jose Maria Zufiar, member of the EU’s
European Economic and Social Committee said the ban of NGOs in Masvingo was
deplorable.

Maria Zufiar’s committee works with ACP countries in creating trade and
development partnerships.

“We are having so many countries in the ACP putting repressive measures for
civil society and recently we received reports of NGOs being banned in
Zimbabwe.

“The move was not positive for development and the situation of people there
is not okay since there are cases of hunger and these organisations have
been assisting,” said Zufiar.

Zufiar said the EU was committed to working with African countries to
improve societies through development but such efforts were stalled by rogue
governments that mistreated civil society.

“In countries like this, political will is lacking and that is why civil
society is treated badly.

“Some of the organisations work with the EU to deliver development in these
regions.

“We want all countries we are working with to give civil society space and
allow them to operate,” he added.

He added that the recent ban of NGO’s in Zimbabwe was a direct violation of
the people’s freedoms and other rights.

“These authorities are making unfavourable conditions for civil society
organisations.

“They are violating peoples’ freedoms of association and expression and we
want to urge better mechanisms for funding operations and proper cooperation
between the authorities and civil society,” he said.

Govt backtracks on Green Fuel deal

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Taurai Mangudhla, Business Writer
Wednesday, 07 March 2012 14:53

HARARE - President Robert Mugabe’s government is reversing its build,
operate and transfer (BOT) deal with Green Fuel on the Chisumbanje ethanol
project under the guise of a joint venture plan.

State Enterprises and Restructuring Agency (Sera) executive director Edgar
Nyoni yesterday told Parliament’s portfolio committee on state enterprises
and parastatals (Seps) that government was restructuring the deal after the
ethanol venture was granted national project status.

“We are currently assisting the ministry of Agriculture (through its
Agricultural Rural Development Authority — Arda) on the Chisumbanje project.

Government is looking to change the deal from a BOT to a joint-venture and
we are currently coming up with the provisions,” he said.

“Negotiations are being made amicably looking at contributions from both
parties…the project involves big pieces of land,” added Nyoni.

Sera’s statement comes as Green Fuel has asked government to introduce a
mandatory blending policy, to make blending of ethanol and petrol compulsory
as an import substitution measure.

The company argues that a mandatory blending policy dovetails with
government’s medium term economic blueprint which stipulates that Zimbabwe
should “promote and use renewable energy including ethanol blending.

However, the proposal is facing challenges particularly from fuel companies
who have raised concerns that they need to allocate a third pump for the
blended petrol, separate tanks, as well as separate transport carriers for
the ethanol.

Currently, conventional bulk petroleum companies’ facilities and retail
filling stations are designed for petrol and diesel only and the
introduction of blended petrol is posing logistical problems to the
operators of service stations and petroleum companies.

The almost 400 filling stations in Zimbabwe have been reluctant to incur the
“additional costs’ to modify or upgrade their existing pumping and storage
facilities. The logistical challenge has resulted in Green Fuel shutting
down, to a loss of about $150 000 potential daily revenue.

Seps secretary Elias Mutowo said the ethanol producer is producing 5 million
litres a month and has capacity to produce 10 million litres monthly,
meaning Zimbabwe’s blended fuel could be moved from E10 with a 10 percent
content of un-hydrous ethanol to E20.

The country, Mutuwo said, could even go up to E85 if the production
equipment meets quality expectations.

The $600 million ethanol production project is a partnership between Billy
Rautenbach’s Ratings Investments, which owns 60 percent of the company, and
Arda which accounts for the remaining 40 percent stake.

Reports have indicated Ratings Investments provided funding while Arda
purchased its equity through land.

At the beginning of the project, more than 5 000 hectares of land were put
under plantation.

By the end of January, Green Fuel had produced 10 million litres of ethanol,
which is currently sitting in storage facilities around the country.

So far, only 105 000 litres has been sold, slightly one percent of the total
ethanol produced.

Zimbabwe Parliament Demands Urgent Action on 'Ghost Workers'

http://www.voanews.com

06 March 2012

The parliamentary committee on public service wants the PSC to table the
report and outline how it intends to deal with the imaginary workers said to
be fleecing government of millions of dollars

Tatenda Gumbo | Washington

Zimbabwe's parliament has ordered the Public Service Commission to deal
decisively with the issue of so-called ghost workers as a matter of
priority.

Concluding deliberations Tuesday on a recent motion, lawmakers called on the
commission to release a 2010 audited report, which the House says is long
overdue.

The parliamentary committee on public service wants the PSC to table the
report and outline how it intends to deal with the imaginary workers said to
be fleecing government of millions of dollars.

In its report, the commission disputes the findings of the original 2010
Ernst & Young survey which found 70,000 ghost workers on government payroll.

Following instructions from Cabinet, the commission did its own audit
revealing it had found minimal irregularities in the recruitment of state
employees, including the hiring of 6,000 officers by the youth ministry.

Parliament estimates government is losing $75 million annually in ghost
workers' salaries.

Lawmaker Settlement Chikwinya, who represents the Mbizo constituency told
VOA reporter Tatenda Gumbo that a roadmap to remove nonexistent workers from
state payroll is urgently needed.

"We believe that if these anomalies are corrected and the government salary
structure is rationalized, this can result in an immediate increment to the
civil servants," said Chikwinya.

He said in 2007, some 3,500 ghost workers were found to be employed by
government ahead of the violent 2008 elections.

“The party in government saw it fit to use the Public Service funds as a
campaigning tool for their members and for them to carry out their political
activities while campaigning for the party at the same time,” Chikwinya
added.

“These people, up to this day continue to occupy government positions."

 

Robert Mugabe aides hail Cardinal O’Brien for opposition to gay marriage

http://www.scotsman.com

By JANE FIELDS and ANDREW WHITAKER
Published on Wednesday 7 March 2012 12:34

A STRONGLY worded attack on same sex marriage by the head of the Catholic
Church in Scotland has attracted the support of close allies and supporters
of the Zimbabwean regime of President Robert Mugabe.

Cardinal Keith O’Brien branded same-sex marriage an “aberration” and warned
that it would lead to further “immorality” in society, in what appeared to
be the most scathing criticism yet of the Scottish Government’s proposals.

The cardinal’s controversial stance was yesterday praised by those close to
the Zimbabwean president, who has argued that homosexuals are “worse than
pigs and dogs”, as well as using the issue of gay rights to attack the West
and opposition parties that back same-sex unions.

Zimbabwe’s Herald newspaper, controlled by top allies of Mugabe, said
yesterday that Cardinal O’Brien was “among rare church leaders from the West
who have seen the light”.

There was also strong support for the cardinal from Zimbabwean clerics, with
one church leader in the crisis-torn African nation saying: “He is like a
Martin Luther who had a revelation and has been inspired to get the truth.”

Green MSP Patrick Harvie, a leading supporter of same-sex marriage, seized
on the support that the head of Scotland’s Catholic Church had attracted
from allies of Mugabe to warn that the cardinal had made a “serious
misjudgment” with his stance on the issue.

Mr Harvie, who is gay, said: “It’s one thing for the cardinal to argue with
people like me who are in favour of equality. But having this sort of
company on this issue shows that the cardinal has got to think again.

“He’s made a serious misjudgment, and I suspect that many practising
Catholics will be furious about the way their church is being
misrepresented.

“There is no way that anyone can think that these figures close to the
Mugabe regime are on the right side of any progressive argument,” Mr Harvie
went on.

“When you get into that sort of rhetoric, then it’s clear that you have lost
the argument.”

A leader of the campaign to change Scotland’s law on same-sex marriage
yesterday accused the cardinal of pursuing an “unsavoury agenda”, after the
Scottish Government held a consultation on the proposals.

Tom French, the policy co-ordinator for the Equality Network, said; “It is
telling that Cardinal O’Brien’s attacks on the civil rights of lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender Scots have been lauded by the Mugabe regime with
its horrendous record of state-sponsored homophobia and human rights
violations.

“People will wonder why the cardinal is so obsessed with opposing lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender equality.

“His recent comments, and appalling record, reveal an unsavoury agenda that
extends well beyond ‘protecting traditional marriage’.”

The latest row over same-sex marriage comes after Cardinal O’Brien said it
would be the “thin end of the wedge”, comparing it to the legalisation of
abortion in 1967.

He said: “Further aberrations would be taking place and society would be
degenerating even further than it has into immorality.

“It is changing the whole notion of what marriage and what a family is.
Children have the right to have a mother and a father.”

Zimbabwean clerics interviewed yesterday lavished praise on the cardinal,
with Dr Noah Pashapa, the Bishop of Life and Liberty Churches International,
claiming: “He is like a Martin Luther who had a revelation and has been
inspired to get the truth.”

Church leader Abel Matimbe of the little-known End Time Ministries described
the Scottish cleric as “progressive”.

A spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland yesterday declined to
comment on the support for the cardinal’s stance from clerics in Zimbabwe.

ZANU woes chiefs

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Bulawayo city council offices at the large city hall were on Wednesday
sealed off by armed police officers who harassed council staff and residents
who wanted to conduct business at the municipal offices.
07.03.1201:27pm
by Zwanai Sithole Harare

Traditional chiefs are holding their annual chiefs conference at the venue
which also houses among other offices the mayor and town clerk’s offices.
The Zimbabwean news crew witnessed council workers being thoroughly searched
before being allowed into their offices.

“All the council workers who work at the City hall have been ordered to get
accreditation for the conference in order to be allowed in at the main
gates. The atmosphere here is very tense .There are security agents all over
the place,” said one council worker who refused to be named for fear of
victimisation.

The Zimbabwean also witnessed workers from a local up market hotel pitching
catering tents and decorating chairs and tables for the chiefs.

For the first time in the history of the highly politicised annual retreat,
the chiefs are attending this year’s conference with their

spouses. The chiefs and their wives have been booked in five star hotels in
the city. According to investigations carried out by the

Zimbabwean, bed and breakfast for an individual cost between US$95 and
$150.The three day conference is expected to host over 1 000 delegates
including Zanu (PF) cabinet ministers. On Wednesday the chief’s

spouses were taken to Matopo national parks in Zupco buses with President
Mugabe’s campaign posters.

The conference which is running under the theme “Traditional leaders:
realigning culture and traditions towards dynamic community

development and empowerment will be officially opened by Mugabe on Thursday.

MDC Press Statement 7 March 2012

Today, the 7th of March 2012 the National Executive of the MDC met in Harare
to discuss various issues affecting the nation and the party.

The National Executive received reports from the MDC representatives in the
government that a lot of Ministers were undermining key programs of the
inclusive government.

For example Minister for Media Information and Publicity, Webster Shamu has
consistently been refusing to implement key reforms in the Media reforms as
agreed by the negotiators and as directed by the Principals of the Global
Political Agreement. The MDC knows that the obstinacy displayed by Minister
Shamu is part of the grand plan by Zanu PF to undermine the government and
create conditions of free and fair elections.

President Morgan Tsvangirai advised the meeting that he will be reporting to
Parliament once every month on the performance of all the ministers in the
government. The MDC National Executive welcomed that move.

The national executive condemned in the strongest terms the moves by Zanu PF
to ban the operations of NGO’s in the rural areas. The move is part of the
evil plan by Zanu PF to perpetuate the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe
and thus use hunger as a political weapon. The national executive vowed to
fight these sadistic moves by Zanu PF and urged the Minister for Labour and
Social Welfare to make sure that these illegal practices are thwarted. It
was observed that NGOs were being banned in those provinces where Zanu PF
was beaten resoundingly in the 2008 elections.

The meeting also received reports about the progress in the constitution
making process. The national executive expressed satisfaction at the work
being done by the Parliamentary Select Committee so far under very difficult
circumstances. The MDC remains committed to the completion of the people
driven constitution process. The MDC condemns in no uncertain terms the
intimidation and harassment of the drafters by some elements within Zanu PF
and urged that Copac be allowed to complete its work.

The National executive resolved to treat the year 2012 as a watershed year
and will prepare for elections whether or not these elections were going to
be held this year. To that end the Organising Department is working flat out
to prepare the MDC structures for elections. However, the Committee
reiterated that the elections must only be held after all the conditions for
a free and fair elections have been fulfilled.

On the issue of the Constituency Development Fund, the party expressed
satisfaction at the way most of the MDC Members of Parliament have utilised
these funds for the benefit of their constituencies. However, all those MPs
who have abused the fund must be brought to book irrespective of their
political persuasion. To that end the MDC will support the efforts of the
Anti- corruption Commission and urged that it retains its professionalism
and non partisanship in the discharge of its work.

Lastly, National Executive resolved to assign teams to do evaluations and
performance audits for all rural and urban councils in the country. The aim
is to appraise the party with the performance of all the councils. These
committees will commence their work in the next few days and their work will
be made public.

The MDC leadership expressed alarm at the number of roadblocks that are
being erected by the Zimbabwe Republic Police. These roadblocks are
excessive and are apparently a ploy to fundraise for Zanu PF. The Committee
condemned the practice by some ZRP officers to smash windscreens of vehicles
as a way to enforce these excessive roadblocks.

The people’s struggle for real change: Let’s finish it!!

–
MDC Information & Publicity Department

WOZA: Magistrate refuses to drop Criminal Nuisance charges

Magistrate Vivian Ndlovu rules that Williams and 9 other members charged
with Criminal Nuisance must face trial and remanded them to 23March 2012.
The Magistrate surprisingly did not address key issues in the application
covering right to query placement on remand and the fact that the charges
have constitutional implications and are in direct contravention of a
landmark Supreme court ruling.

http://wozazimbabwe.org/?p=1181

This ruling follows an application by the defense for refusal of further
remand. She also ordered a Court visit to Bulawayo central police station
for an investigation into the complaints leveled against the police by the
activists.

http://wozazimbabwe.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Application-for-refusal-of-remand-Jenni-and-others.pdf

The activists have briefed Defense lawyer and Zimbabwe Lawyer for Human
Rights chief legal officer, Lizwe Jamela to prepare an application to the
Supreme Court questioning the basis for these charges which are in violation
of the Supreme Court ruling obtained for a 2008 arrest by WOZA leaders
Williams and Mahlangu.

Meanwhile the High Court has set down for 15 March 2012 an urgent
application for stay of trial proceedings in the case kidnap and theft
charges faced by Williams and Mahlangu. The Defense team must seek a further
postponement of the Trial proceedings which were due to recommence on 12
March 2012.

Morgan Tsvangirai Prime Minister of Zimbabwe

Zanu-pf seems to be shooting itself in both feet this time

By Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, 07/03/12

By losing its composure and resorting to ‘abusive remarks’ directed at the
SADC mediator, South African president Jacob Zuma, Zanu-pf could be
committing political suicide.

Serial political turncoat and Zanu-pf politburo member Jonathan Moyo
recently attacked South Africa’s Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane,
telling her to “shut up” saying Zimbabwe has never been a province of South
Africa.

Nkoana-Mashabane’s ‘crime’ was to tell the South African Parliament that
elections in Zimbabwe should be held only after a new constitution and
democratic reforms are put in place.

Moyo reportedly told NewZimbabwe.com by telephone from Harare: “The South
African government is not a GPA facilitator, this woman as an official of
the South African government has no business whatsoever commenting on this
thing…”
Sadly, Moyo was contradicting his party’s Vice President Joice Mujuru who,
in January, expressed Zanu-pf confidence in South Africa’s role as a
mediator in Zimbabwe “as it has assisted in bringing an agreement between
the country’s three political parties since its appointment by SADC.”
Mujuru was speaking on arrival at the Harare International Airport from
South Africa where she had attended the African National Congress (ANC)
centenary celebrations (see The Herald, VP Mujuru backs SA facilitation,
distances herself from Mnangagwa faction, 11/01/12).

Unless Zanu-pf suddenly eats a humble pie before President Zuma’s
forthcoming Harare visit, the former ruling party could find itself more
isolated internationally.

As we have stated before in these columns, it is not Zuma who needs Mugabe
more but the later who desperately needs the former especially now.

Obviously, Zanu-pf needs the ANC more than the ANC needs Zanu-pf, unless
relations have soured following the expulsion of Julius Malema who idolises
Mugabe.

By alienating SADC and Zuma, the former ruling party would be shooting
itself in both feet, thereby making the United Nations the only credible
alternative to mediate on the last stages of a peaceful transition from
Mugabe’s dictatorship to democracy.

But, the prospect of losing free and fair, UN and EU supervised elections in
Zimbabwe, especially after reinstating the Diaspora Vote, is driving Zanu-pf
to the wall.

As Jonathan Moyo becomes increasingly desperate to revive Zanu-pf from its
rather irreversible ‘Lazarus moment,’ more insults and tantrums cannot be
ruled out.
Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, Political Analyst, London,
zimanalysis2009@gmail.com